Design, Characterization, and Environmental Applications of Hydrogels with Metal Ion Coordination Properties

In this chapter, we discuss the design and synthesis of hydrogels and related polymeric materials with metal ion coordination properties, with the aim to review the main synthetic strategies used in the area. Then, we focus on the solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ss-NMR) spectroscopic technique due to its importance as a structural elucidation tool in both powdered and hydrated state, with emphasis on cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) and high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS). Also, we explain different adsorption models, with the aim to present the methods most commonly used to analyze the uptake properties of hydrogel materials toward metal ions or organic compounds. Finally, we will discuss the applications of these materials for the removal of heavy metal ions and organic compounds, in terms of efficiency in the uptake of these ions and the different techniques commonly used to study the coordination process and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The main aim is to provide scientists with a review of the spectroscopic techniques most commonly used for bulk and surface characterization of non-soluble materials

Assessment of lightweight concrete thermal properties at elevated temperatures

Structural lightweight concrete (LWC) has recently acquired research importance because of its good thermal insulation properties. However, there is a lack of knowledge about its thermal properties at elevated temperatures. The thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity and specific heat, of porous LWC vary depending on the aggregates, air voids, and moisture content of the LWC in question. To study these effects, in this paper, we measured the thermal properties of three types of structural LWCs at different temperatures, combining different characterization techniques, namely, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), laser flash analysis (LFA), and modified transient plane source (MTPS). Bulk density and porosity were also evaluated. Specific heat is analyzed by the DSC technique from 20 to 1000 °C and the MTPS technique from 20 to 160 °C. Thermal conductivity is studied using MTPS and LFA techniques at temperatures ranging from 20 to 160 °C and 100 to 300 °C, respectively. The results indicate that the thermal properties of LWC are highly affected by moisture content, temperature, and porosity. For LWC, the current Eurocodes 2 and 4 assume a constant value of specific heat (840 J/kg°C). This research reveals variability in temperatures near 150, 450, and 850 °C due to endothermic reactions. Furthermore, for low temperatures, the higher the porosity, the higher the thermal conductivity, while, at high temperatures, the higher the porosity, the lower the thermal conductivity. Thus, Eurocodes 2 and 4 should be updated accordingly. This research contributes to a deeper understanding and more accurate prediction of LWC's effects on thermal properties at elevated temperatures.This research was funded by FICYT and the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, co-financed with FEDER funds under the Research Projects PGC2018-098459-B-I00 and FC-GRUPIN-IDI/2018/000221. Finally, the authors would like to thank the Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear for the cooperation and co-financing the project “Metodologías avanzadas de análisis y simulación de escenarios de incendios en centrales nucleares”

MoKey - A motion based keyboard interpreter

In this paper the authors present a new middleware for mapping gestures, obtained by a motion sensing camera device, to key events which are consumed by a standard off-the-shelf application. The aim is twofold: accessibility for users which are not able to use the keyboard because of physical impairments and the use of standard games for doing physical exercises. Hereby, special attention is laid on the adaptability to user requirements and easiness of configuration for the user himself and non-expert assistants. The actual state of our system is compared to similar proposals in terms of usability and performance, finally future working directions are outlined

Inhomogeneity correction of magnetic resonance images by minimization of intensity overlapping

Proceeding of: IEEE 2003 International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP), Barcelona, Spain, 14-17 Sept. 2003This work presents a new algorithm (NIC; Non uniform Intensity Correclion) for the correction of intensity inhomogeneities in magnetic resonance images. The algorithm has been validated by means of realistic phantom images and a set of 24 real images. Evaluation using previously proposed phantom images for inhomogeneity correction algorithms allowed us to obtain results fully comparable to the previous literature on the topic. This new algorithm was also compared, using a real image dataset, to other widely used methods which are freely available in the Internet (N3, SPM'99 and SPM2). Standard quality criteria have been used for determining the goodness of the different methods. The new algorithm showed better results removing the intensity inhomogeneities and did not produce degradation when used on images free from this artifact

Supplementary data for the article: Milenković, I.; Mitrović, A.; Algarra, M.; Lázaro-Martínez, J. M.; Rodríguez-Castellón, E.; Maksimović, V.; Spasić, S. Z.; Beškoski, V. P.; Radotić, K. Interaction of Carbohydrate Coated Cerium-Oxide Nanoparticles with Wheat and Pea: Stress Induction Potential and Effect on Development. Plants 2019, 8 (11). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8110478

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8110478]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3698

Adherence to treatment and related factors among patients with chronic conditions in primary care: a cross-sectional study

Producción CientíficaBackground: Adherence to treatment, a public health issue, is of particular importance in chronic disease therapies. Primary care practices offer ideal venues for the effective care and management of these conditions. The aim of this study is to assess adherence to treatment and related-factors among patients with chronic conditions in primary care settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 299 adult patients with ≥1 chronic condition(s) and prescribed medication in primary healthcare centers of Spain. The Morisky-Green-Levine questionnaire was used to assess medication adherence via face-to-face interviews. Crude and adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with adherence using the Multidimensional Model proposed by the World Health Organization — social and economic, healthcare team and system-related, condition-related, therapy-related, and patient-related factors. Results: The proportion of adherent patients to treatment was 55.5%. Older age (adjusted odds ratio 1.31 per 10-year increment, 95% CI 1.01–1.70), lower number of pharmacies used for medication refills (0.65, 95% CI 0.47– 0.90), having received complete treatment information (3.89, 95% CI 2.09–7.21), having adequate knowledge about medication regimen (4.17, 95% CI 2.23–7.80), and self-perception of a good quality of life (2.17, 95% CI 1.18–4.02) were independent factors associated with adherence. Conclusions: Adherence to treatment for chronic conditions remained low in primary care. Optimal achievement of appropriate levels of adherence through tailored multifaceted interventions will require attention to the multidimensional factors found in this study, particularly those related to patients’ education and their information needs

Revisión bibliográfica sobre la sintomatología cognitiva en la malformación de Chiari tipo I

Chiari malformation (CM) is a rare pathology with low prevalence. CM is within the group of malformations of the craniocervical junction, it is an anatomical alteration of the cranial base. There are considered to be 6 types of CM, being MC type I the most common one.  The symptomatology can be very varied, having been reported cases of totally asymptomatic patients and others with serious neurological affections. Furthermore, recent research shows that congenital pathologies of the cerebellum such as CM can be accompanied by neuropsychological deficits. It is difficult to diagnose it due to the complexity of the lesion and the symptoms present in patients. However, the diagnosis is made by neuroimaging techniques, being the most widely used technique the magnetic resonance. Regarding to treatment, surgery is one of the main actions to be carried out after the diagnosis of CM. This review presents an exhaustive analysis of the existing literature on the cognitive functions affected of type I MC. It also describes the effects of surgical treatments on neuropsychological symptoms. The results show the presence of cognitive deficits; however, there is no agreement about exactly what cognitive functions are affected.La malformación de Chiari (MC) es una patología rara de baja prevalencia y cuya patogenia actualmente sigue siendo objeto de debate. La MC está dentro del grupo de las malformaciones de la unión craneocervical, es una alteración anatómica de la base craneal. A día de hoy se considera que hay 6 tipos de MC, siendo la MC tipo I la más común. La sintomatología puede ser muy variada habiéndose reportado casos de pacientes totalmente asintomáticos y otros con graves afecciones de tipo neurológicas. Recientes investigaciones manifiestan que las patologías congénitas del cerebelo como la MC, pueden acompañarse de déficits neuropsicológicos. Es de difícil diagnóstico debido a la complejidad de la lesión y sintomatología presente en los pacientes. No obstante, el diagnóstico se realiza mediante técnicas de neuroimagen siendo la técnica más utilizada la resonancia magnética. En cuanto al tratamiento, la cirugía es una de las principales actuaciones a llevar a cabo ante el diagnóstico de MC. Esta revisión presenta un análisis exhaustivo de la literatura existente sobre las funciones cognitivas afectadas de la MC tipo I. Asimismo, realiza una descripción de los efectos de los tratamientos quirúrgicos en la sintomatología neuropsicológica. Los resultados evidencian la presencia de déficits cognitivos; sin embargo, no hay acuerdo sobre cuáles son exactamente las funciones cognitivas afectadas